Tag: Mt. Pulag

Imagine this. You are walking on a path that’s surrounded by hills and mountains with lots of trees. The sun is smiling upon you. It may become hot at times but the soft breeze of the wind blows to cool you down. Occasionally, you’ll see waterfalls in the mountains and you wish that you could go dip in the cool refreshing water. There’s a river down below which provides music as you continue to push yourself to the top. Atop, the scene is priceless and majestic. All you see are endless mountain ranges. The wind is continuously blowing, as if trying to take all your troubles so very, very far from you so that it won’t come back and haunt you. At sunrise, you see how the sun slowly breaks into the sky to once again give light to the sleeping world. With the chill the night before, it’s glorious to feel its warmth all over again. You see the different cloud formations BELOW. It’s almost like sitting on top of it. You’re on top of the world. You feel that you’re almost in heaven. It feels heavenly.

Is this for real? YES! That’s Mt. Pulag, the mountain I really, truly fell in love with. 🙂 Mt. Pulag is LOVE!

Another early wake up call at 4 AM to get ready for the summit assault. By 4:30 AM, we were already on our way. I think we had to walk for another 30-45 minutes in order to reach the summit. I was all covered (sando, shirt, sweater and a jacket) so that when I had my warm up walk, it was getting harder for me to breath because it felt so hot. To remedy that, I just removed my sweater and my jacket. What a relief hehe. It was drizzling when we reached the summit. I was already in a panic because I can’t take good pictures. All my shots had drizzle in it huhu. When our group was complete, we offered a short prayer. I was really praying hard that we be able to see the sunrise. I heard from another colleague that after being in Mt. Pulag for more than 10 times, he was only able to witness the sunrise 3 times. Weh! Anyway, after a few minutes, the drizzling stopped! Yippee! So we just waited in anticipation for the sunrise. And while doing that, we had shots of the cloud formations BELOW us. Yes, we were looking down at clouds! This time, I really was on top of the world hehehe. It was really, really amazing. Few minutes before 6 AM, the sun started to rise. Wuhhhuuuu! Everyone got excited and everyone just wanted to have the best pictures hehehe. Mga adik. But who won’t be? It was so very beautiful that you just want to capture all the perfect moments. Good thing I had some good shots. Thanks Sony and thanks buddy hehe.

We also inducted some of the applicants here. There were I guess 5 of them. Our graduation for BMC was supposed to be on the summit too but we were not complete so we’ll just do that some other time.

Much as we wanted to stay longer in the summit, we can’t for long. By 7:30, we headed back to the camp for breakfast and break camp. By 9:35 AM, our group was ready to leave camp so we went ahead. This time, we are going back via the Ambangeg trail. It was easier. We were running in some parts of the trail thus, we were way ahead the others already. We also passed by Camp 2 (Ambangeg campsite). After more than 3 hours of walking, we reached the Ranger station. Our ride was already there waiting for us. We did not have lunch along the way. It was just all trail food. By the time we were all complete, we just loaded our things in the jeep and continued on to DENR where we will be having our much needed bath. The group just decided to have lunch/dinner along the way.

Upon reaching DENR at around 4 PM, and while waiting for the bathrooms to become available, some of us went to look for food hehehe. Don’t blame us. :p We were so hungry already. There was also a shop here where you can buy souvenir shirts. Unfortunately, they don’t have my size so I was not able to buy one. Olats.

By 6 PM, we were back in the jeep. Everybody was looking forward to dinner, wherever that is hehe. Good thing that after only an hour, we reached the restaurant. Ayos. We had to be quick though. After dinner and yosi break for others, we resumed our travel so that by 9 PM, we were already at Victory Liner terminal. We were lucky to have the 9:30 PM schedule. We were 2.5 hours late based on our itinerary hehe. Huwell.

Right now, we’re on our way back to Manila already. Thank you Father for taking care of us in this adventure. It was fun fun fun! Your creation is really amazing. 🙂

We had to wake up at 4 AM this morning so that we can have an early start. After a short breakfast, we packed up and prepared for another long trek. Our group was still the sweeper so we were the last to leave again at 7:30 AM. We had to cross a hanging bridge that was quite long. It was a little scary because the current in the river is strong. Imagine if you fell from the bridge hehe. After the bridge, it was already an assault. Good thing it was cool so it was easier to walk. But still, it was all assault huhu. After 3 hours, we reached Marlboro Country. It was called as such because of the view. You are surrounded by mountains and trees. What a beautiful view. We had our early lunch here. We also had a lot of those jump shots. I was able to master the timing of my camera (and 2 others) in order to capture the perfect jump shots hehe. Our group resumed our trek at 1 PM. After 40 minutes, we already reached the mossy forest. It’s called mossy because the trees in the area are covered with mosses. After another 40 minutes, we reached the last water source. This is where we also reached the other groups who were already having their snacks. After a short rest, we had to resume our trek, else, we will reach the summit by night time. Though tired, we still pushed ourselves. Unfortunately for me, I was stupid not to eat anything during the break and so 5 minutes after the trek, I was trembling with hunger. My buddy and I had to stop several times for me to eat. Weh! But thanks to jelly sticks, cloud 9, and water, I regained my strength hehe.

We reached the grassland at around 3:45 PM. Whew! As per itinerary, this is the last part of the leg and we are only 30 minutes away from the saddle camp! Can’t wait! It was hotter in this area because there were no trees to provide shade. It was just a steep mountain covered with grass. Good thing that it was already getting late in the afternoon so the sun was not that hot. At this point, I was beginning to feel that I was already on top of the world. 🙂

After a few more pushes, we already reached the camp! Yiffee! Unfortunately, just after a few minutes, it rained. It was not that strong but strong enough to get us drenched. We had to set up our tents quickly. Our other companions were still on the trail when it rained. Good thing everyone was able to reach the campsite safe and sound. My teammates can’t stand the cold so I just volunteered to do the cooking for dinner. I think it got to as low as 8 degrees Celsius. And since it rained and it got dark right away, we were not able to assault the summit for the sunset. Huwell.

It was mostly assault today. It was tiring but all worth it. And we were not able to follow our itinerary, yet again ahihi. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s sunrise. I hope we’ll be able to witness it. It will be another early day. So, for now, I’m signing off. Good night world!

I reached the campsite at exactly 5 PM. So happy happy happy! 🙂 I was the first one to reach it teehee. I was so excited when our guides told us that it’s already near so I ran the last part of the trail with backpack and all hehehe. Now, it’s starting to rain. We are being blessed! Time to set up tents!

Guess where I am right now. At Mt. Pulag Akiki first camp. Hihihi! Yes, finally, I’m on my way to the summit of the second highest mountain in the country located in my very own province, Benguet.

A little flashback though.

The group met at Victory Cubao last night. Due to the lack of seats for the 11 PM trip, one group had to take the 10 PM trip. The 11 PM batch arrived in Baguio at 4:45 AM. After repacking and regrouping, we already boarded the jeep that would bring us to Mt. Pulag jump off. We were also met by Sir Bong, our guide. By 5:40 AM, we were already on our way. The route is via Ambuklao. This is new info to me (shame on me hihihi). At 7:25 AM, we stopped by Jang jang Eatery (Bangao, Ambuklao Bokod Benguet) for a quick breakfast. Some of us also bought our packed lunch here. After an hour, we resumed our trip. By 8:45, we were already at DENR. We had to drop by here for registration, a video presentation about the do’s and don’ts in the mountain and some orientation. Some of us also shopped for shirts (they don’t have my size so I did not buy any sniff). By 10:30 AM, we resumed our trip so that by 12 noon, we were already at the Akiki jump off. Here, we were met by our porters. We lack I guess 1 or 2 porters so some of the groups had to redistribute their loads. Our group only had 2 porters, 1 of which to be shared by the 4 of us, the other by our 2 group members. After all the registration, repacking, lunch break and a little stretching, it’s now time to hit the trail.

Our group was the sweeper so we should be the last in the trail. While others left a little after 1, our group started at 1:55 PM. The trail was not hard actually. It’s a combination of steep and rolling hills. It was not as challenging as Mt. Tarak. Along the way, our group disbanded since some of us had faster pacing. By 3:50 PM, I and another group mate reached Edette River (along with other groups). After approximately 30 minutes, we were all in the campsite. It was time to set up our tents and prepare for dinner. It was a challenge for our group to organize what foods to bring so prior to this climb, the group just decided that each one bring his/her own food and we’ll just share. It worked for us. I’m so glad. And Goldilocks is our savior hihihi!

By 7:30 PM, I’m already getting ready to sleep hehehe. Early? Hey, it says in our IT that it’s lights out by 8 PM and it’s for strict compliance so I’m just following rules teehee. Besides, I’m worn out more because of the long trip from Manila rather than the 2 hour trek.

I just can’t stop myself from documenting this early so here it is. Tomorrow is a long day so good night world! And good luck to us all. I’m praying for a safe journey until we’re back in our own little worlds.